Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The user request is received by a web server from the world wide web and converted into one or more sequenced data base management commands stored as corresponding to the service request. If the user terminal requests access to a secure function or to secure data, the user terminal is interrogated to determine its user profile. This user profile is compared to the security profile of the service request. The service request is honored if and only if the user profile corresponds to the security profile. The secure session control object created to honor the request is deleted upon completion of the session.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The user request is received by a web server from the world wide web and converted into one or more sequenced data base management commands. These data base management commands are sequentially presented to the data base management system and the intermediate products stored. A debug program located on the server side of the interface provides execution of sequenced data base management commands in a trace mode. The results and intermediate results are stored in a debug file for future access by a service developer at a user terminal.

Abstract: An expansion card retention device including a frame, a slider slidably mounted to the frame and a flap hingedly mounted to the frame. The frame is positioned above a card slot configured to receive an expansion card inserted through an opening in the frame. The flap is movable between a captive position where the flap covers the opening and a free position where the flap in clear of the opening. The slider is movable between a locked position where the slider holds the flap in the captive position and an unlocked position where the flap is free to move from the captive to the free position. A computer chassis including an expansion slot for receiving an expansion card and a card retention device mounted above the slot to a card support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a database having a plurality of partitions are provided in various embodiments. The database is managed by users of a first user class and accessible to users of a second user class. Respective partition states are established for the partitions of the database, and access is provided to users of the first user class to partitions having a first partition state. Users of the second user class are denied access to partitons having the first partition state, and users of the second user class are provided access to partitions having a second partition state.

Abstract: A system and method which allows the secure interchange of information a web browser based user system and an On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) enterprise server. In addition to the standards based security provided by the browser for individual data transfers, a facility enables a user to log-on to an entire transactional session. This facility provides for validation of user-id and user password.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively providing modularity and/or hierarchy to a behavioral description of a circuit design. This is accomplished by providing a template call in the behavioral description of the circuit design. The template call provides a reference to a corresponding template behavioral description. The behavioral description of the circuit design is expanded using an expander preprocessor, wherein a command line switch is used to selectively provide modularity and/or hierarchy to the resulting behavioral description.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively injecting parity errors into instructions of a data processing system when the instructions are copied from a read buffer to a first level cache. The parity errors are selectively injected according to programmable indicators, each programmable indicator being associated with one or more instructions stored in the read buffer. The error-injection system also includes programmable operating modes whereby error injection will occur during, for example, every copy back from the read buffer to the first level cache, or alternatively, during only a selected copy back sequence. The system allows for comprehensive testing of error detection and recovery logic in an instruction processor, and further allows for comprehensive testing of the logic associated with performing a data re-fetch from a second level cache or storage device.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The multiple file upload user request is received by a web server from the world wide web. Each of the files is stored in a different temporary file created to buffer the uploaded files until they are processed. Following processing, the temporary files are deleted. Through the use of this feature, an application developer can make efficient multiple file data transfers from a user terminal without the need to analyze the transfer in binary form.

Abstract: A disk cache translation system for mapping data record lengths between systems having different data record lengths. Command queue (315) maps into initiation queue (305) to allow I/O manager (230) to manage I/O requests from operating system (125). I/O requests are statused by I/O manager (230) using status queue (325). Store-thru cache (280) provides a single interface to disk array (270) such that disk array write operations are reported complete only when user memory (250), I/O cache (280) and disk array (270) are synchronized. Data record length translations are performed using I/O cache (280) in order to align data record length differences between operating system (125) and I/O device (270).

Abstract: An improved administration system for use in managing and reporting skill assessment data entered by users of a skill assessment tool is disclosed. The skill assessment tool of the preferred embodiment may include a large skill set of possibly-unrelated skills. A large, diverse use population may employ the skill assessment tool to enter data rating a user's proficiency at performing ones of the skills in the skill set. The resulting skill assessment data may therefore be both extensive and diverse. The administration system allows the skill assessment data to be reported using any selectable subset of the users or any selectable subset of the skills supported by the skill assessment tool.

Abstract: Trailer structure having a tilt limiting loading ramp and an improved structural side member forming an adjustable axle mount and having a load tie down track is described. The trailer has a load supporting bed and utilizes a load tie down system having tie down tracks at each side and one or more additional tie down tracks at selected locations on the load supporting bed. One or more tie down devices are selectively positionable in each tie down track and are used to restrain various loads including various wheel supported loads. To accommodate a low trailer profile an improved tongue adaptor is provided. A fender mount structure to cooperate with the improved structural side member is also described. Improved loading ramp structures, including a tilt-bed loading ramp and a tilt limiting structure for limiting the angle of bed tilt for use on a tilt-bed trailer are shown. A rack structure to mount to the load tie down tracks in the structural side members is shown.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of improving the efficiency of a level two cache memory. In response to a level one cache miss, a request is made to the level two cache. A signal sent with the request identifies when the requester does not anticipate a near term subsequent use for the requested data element. If a level two cache hit occurs, the requested data element is marked as least recently used in response to the signal. If a level two cache miss occurs, a request is made to level three storage. When the level three storage request is honored, the requested data element is immediately flushed from the level two cache memory in response to the signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locking a database table having a plurality of partitions. In various embodiments, lock status codes are maintained for both a database table and for the partitions of the database table. The partition locks do not need to be updated when a lock is granted for the database table since a separate table lock status code is maintained. The separate table lock status code improves database application performance and simplifies programming of explicit lock operations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using prior results when processing successive database requests. This is accomplished by storing selected results during the processing of selected user requests. When a subsequent user request is processed, the system determines if appropriate prior results have already been generated and stored by a previous user request. If so, the prior results are used in the processing of the subsequent user request. Because the prior results are not regenerated, the processing time for the subsequent user request may be reduced accordingly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for warning the user of potential limitations of a database request or the results provided thereby and for warning the user of potential limitations of a database request and the results provided thereby. Preferably, the identified limitations are provided in a number of caveats. The caveats may warn the user that a survey request and/or survey result may be improper, invalid or otherwise deficient in some way. This may prevent the user from basing important business decisions on misrepresentative database results.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a data processing system. The data processing system hosts an operating system which is coupled to a management interface processor. The management interface processor is further coupled to a network along with a plurality of workstations. One or more logical console objects are instantiated on the management interface processor. Respectively associated with and coupled to the one or more logical console objects are one or more instances of a system operations program. The instances of the system operations programs provide a user-interface for console level operations of the data processing system. The instances of the system operations program can be rehosted amongst the workstations, thereby aiding in workload balancing and resiliency.

Abstract: A generic server and gateway that run within a Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) environment capable of receiving requests from one or more different types of DCOM clients for service by an On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) style application running on an enterprise server. The services on the OLTP system are designed to accomplish a specific task, for example, update a user's bank account balance following a debit or credit. In a preferred embodiment, the OLTP system is X/Open compliant. The DCOM Client can be any type of client, including a Visual Basic client, C++ client, or a Web Browser with Active Server Pages (ASP). The generic server and generic gateway are vendor supplied components which tend to insulate the client developer from the details of the communication protocol with the OLTP system.

Abstract: Methods for converting from a COM interface pointer to an underlying C++ object are described in various embodiments. In the various embodiments, classes are constructed in support of the underlying C++ object. The classes are used to enforce rules safely convert a COM interface pointer. One rule is that a COM interface to be converted cannot be marshaled. A second rule is that an object requesting the C++ object must have legal access to the COM interface (for example, the same execution unit). A third rule is that the object type of the COM interface must be in the inheritance hierarchy of the C++ object.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to request calculations on an existing proprietary data base management system having a dialog-based request format. The user fills in and transmits an HTML form defining the requested calculation. A data wizard converts the requested calculation definition to a script which is executable by the data base management system. The desired calculations are made and the results are returned to the user as one or more HTML pages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for substantially eliminating ripple and transient voltage using a current controlled voltage regulator. Current control (460) senses load current (iL) changes and produces control voltage (VCONTROL) in response to the load current changes. The control voltage increases the conductivity state of shunt transistor (470) such that any deficit of current caused by load changes at load (420) during a positive voltage transient is conducted through shunt transistor (470). The control voltage decreases the conductivity state of shunt transistor (470) such that any excessive current caused by load (420) during a negative voltage transient is balanced by the reduction of current in shunt transistor (470).